Students in West Virginia University’s P.I. School of Journalism launched a project today (Feb. 1) to help low-income college students and families in the area become more financially savvy.

WVU’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter is using the campaign, “Financially Literate 4 LIFE,” as its entry for the annual Bateman Competition, a national PRSSA contest. WVU’s entry is sponsored by Ally Financial (formerly GMac). Teams consist of four to five public relations students who create and implement a full public relations campaign for a national client.

Ally Financial launched a financial literacy program in 2002 that includes online tutorials, budgeting advice and crediting services, primarily for those who are financially independent and in need. The student team’s campaign mission is to increase financial literacy through the promotion of Ally’s free online resources and workbooks.

The PRSSA team began work on the campaign in 2010 and has partnered with local organizations Christian Help, Scott’s Run Settlement House, PACE and St. John’s University Parish. Financial literacy sessions will be held at these organizations and on WVU’s campus during February and early March to provide advice and resources on financial budgeting and credit.The sessions will include information from the Ally Financial website, free workbooks provided by Ally Financial and a credit and budgeting session hosted by PRSSA.

WVU’s PRSSA chapter is one of the six founding chapters. PRSSA’s mission is to serve members by enhancing their knowledge of public relations and providing access to professional development opportunities. For more information about PRSSA, contact chapter president Erica Deibel at edeibel@mix.wvu.edu or visit http://prssa.studentorgs.wvu.edu/.

-WVU-

02/01/11

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CONTACT: Erica Deibel
edeibel@mix.wvu.edu